I had an item up for sale on a website and got a message on my phone to email this guy that was interested.I did and he asked about the item.I told him price etc. and he said he was interested and asked for my paypal details so he could send payment.

I game him the payment address which is my email address.

Then got a message from him saying he had payed and to check my mail. Also to send it as a gift to his son in Nigeria.Alarm bells went off!!!!

In my junk folder I found 2 suspicious fake paypal requests.I emailed him back and said I won't ship outside Ireland and to cancel his payment, not wanting to accuse him outright as being a scammer.He wrote back saying to please send it, I replied saying no.

I put his email address into google and it was mentioned on a twitter post as being a scam address.

Besides possible getting some more scam mail to the email address you gave him nothing to worry about.He just asked you for your paypal email address so you would believe the fake paypal emails. Did he send you any emails besides the fake PayPal emails? If so please post those removing your information.

Also posting the email address again to make searchable typo in the post above [email protected]

Stories about sending items to a relative living in Nigeria are common, and a telltale indicator that indeed it is a scam. You'd send the item, never receive payment, and that'd be the last you'd hear of it. You did completely the right thing.

If you flat-out tell him that you are no longer interested in the transaction - no need to accuse him of being a scammer - he'll simply move on to someone who will send the item to Nigeria - likely where he himself is.

Scammers are only interested in money, so the only thing that he might use your personal information for is to target you for another scam, under a different name and a different scenario. If you were concerned from a security point of view, you need not be as it's extremely unlikely that the scammer would use your information for anything other than another scam, using the details to make it seem more genuine and lend it credibility.

The best thing to do is cease all contact, and ignore any further suspicious messages. He'll go away as soon as you realises he won't be getting anything out of you.

Hi,Am happy to inform you that i have made the payment so i will like to know if you have receive any confirmation email from them if not i will like you to check your mail,i will like you to help me get the item shipped as a gift to West Africa i have include the shipping cost in the payment so that i can cover the S&H amount,So i will like you to proceed the shipment to my son address:

This PayPal payment has been deducted from the buyer's account and has been "APPROVED" but will not be credited to your account until the shipment Label number is sent to us for shipment verification so as to secure both the buyer and the seller. Below are the necessary information requested before your account will be credited.You are to send the shipment Label number to our customer service and as soon as you do that our customer service care will attend to you. As soon as you send us the shipment's tracking number to us for security purposes and the safety of the buyer and the seller,the money will be credited to your account.

Important Note: The Right to Refund claim process applies only to payments that have not been successfully transmitted to the recipient. With PayPal, almost all payments are transmitted to the recipient immediately, except for eCheck payments, and payments to non-PayPal members. Please do not file a Right to Refund claim because the payment has already been completed.

**PLEASE NOTE** Once shipment has been verified and the tracking number sent to us, You will receive a "CONFIRMATION Email" from PayPal informing you that the Money has been credited.Thank you for using PayPal! The PayPal Team.

PayPal Email ID PP468

#2 -

This is to Notify you about the Payment made by Declan Brouder to your PayPal account. The payment has been successfully made but due to security reasons we have to receive the Shipment Label Number before your PayPal account can be credited.

This a new measure we are taking in order to protect both Sellers and Buyers against fraudulent activities. Once you have ship the Item, send the shipment label number to PayPal Customer Service Department: [email protected] immediately the Shipment Label number is CONFIRMED, your account will be credited immediately. We are sorry for any inconvenience.Thank you for using PayPalThe PayPal Team.

PayPal Email ID PP274.Copyright 1999-2012 PayPal. All rights reserved. PayPal Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the United State as an electronic moneyinstitution.PayPal FSA Register Number: 226056

#3 -

PayPal authority seek your esteemed co-operation in resolving the transaction dispute between you and Brouder Declan.

You must understand that PayPal verifies members account on a regular basis and duly monitor all transaction carried out through PayPal to secure 100% protection skills for both party.

Due to our recently updated security measure, all payment for online auctions, requires valid shipment verification before the payment would be credited into the seller's account due to the ongoing internet fraud activities involved in auction payments.

PayPal users agreement clearly stated that all members must follow PayPal policies and instructions in every transaction carried out through PayPal. Please understand that our major aim is the satisfaction of our customers. PayPal authority request for your esteemed co-operation in resolving this dispute between you and Brouder Declan promptly.

Our investigation reviewed that you and the buyer has agreed to complete the transaction before you requested for payment from the buyer without concluding the shipment agreement as always advised by PayPal, therefore we seek your maximum co-operation to resolve this dispute by choosing your preferred way in resolving this dispute, two(2) options are given below, you are expected to choose one and act fervently:

1) Continue the shipment and email us a proof of shipment for confirmation to enable us credit the sum of €260EUR into your account immediately.

2) Transfer the €260EUR in question to the confirmed name and address of the buyer via western union money transfer respectively and email us the money transfer details for confirmation to enable us release the sum of €260EUR to your account respectively.

To enable us resolve this dispute timely, own to the account limited access presently on Brouder Declan account which will not permit us refund the funds in question through the PayPal system we recommend you to select any one of the given options above with your timely action to enable us resolve this dispute immediately.

At this point, PayPal authority recommend you to act fervently and you must understand that we are only taking this procedure to make PayPal a safer and comfortable place for all transactions.

PayPal authority sincerely advise you to act fervently to resolve this dispute on or before the next 48hours, failure to do so would resolve to the involvement of the United Kingdom Police for violating PayPal users agreement in act of the 1999 PayPal Law in collaboration with the World Law Enforcement Agency.

To help us resolve the dispute between you and Brouder Declan promptly, PayPal authority sincerely recommend you to either ship the merchandise to the buyer or you transfer the €260EUR via western union money transfer and email us the money transfer details as requested to enable us release the sum of €260EUR to your account immediately.

We patiently await your timely action in resolving this dispute.You must understand that we are taking this security measure to secure 100% protection for both you and the buyer.Thank you for using PayPalPayPal makes it easy to send/receive money for your auctions.

Scammers will sometimes recycle victims information like thier name, address and if you send any documents but there is not much he could do with a phone number. Worst case other scammers could call or text you.

You must understand that PayPal verifies members account on a regular basisand duly monitor all transaction carried out through PayPal to secure 100%protection skills for both party.

Due to our recently updated security measure, all payment for onlineauctions, requires valid shipment verification before the payment would becredited into the seller's account due to the ongoing internet fraudactivities involved in auction payments.

PayPal users agreement clearly stated that all members must follow PayPalpolicies and instructions in every transaction carried out through PayPal.Please understand that our major aim is the satisfaction of our customers.PayPal authority request for your esteemed co-operation in resolving thisdispute between you and Brouder Declan promptly.

Our investigation reviewed that you and the buyer has agreed to completethe transaction before you requested for payment from the buyer withoutconcluding the shipment agreement as always advised by PayPal, therefore weseek your maximum co-operation to resolve this dispute by choosing yourpreferred way in resolving this dispute, two(2) options are given below,you are expected to choose one and act fervently:

1) Continue the shipment and email us a proof of shipment for confirmationto enable us credit the sum of =80260EUR into your account immediately.

2) Transfer the =80260EUR in question to the confirmed name and address ofthe buyer via western union money transfer respectively and email us themoney transfer details for confirmation to enable us release the sum of=80260EUR to your account respectively.

To enable us resolve this dispute timely, own to the account limited accesspresently on Brouder Declan account which will not permit us refund thefunds in question through the PayPal system we recommend you to select anyone of the given options above with your timely action to enable us resolvethis dispute immediately.

At this point, PayPal authority recommend you to act fervently and you mustunderstand that we are only taking this procedure to make PayPal a saferand comfortable place for all transactions.

PayPal authority sincerely advise you to act fervently to resolve thisdispute on or before the next 48hours, failure to do so would resolve tothe involvement of the United Kingdom Police for violating PayPal usersagreement in act of the 1999 PayPal Law in collaboration with the World LawEnforcement Agency.

To help us resolve the dispute between you and Brouder Declan promptly,PayPal authority sincerely recommend you to either ship the merchandise tothe buyer or you transfer the =80260EUR via western union money transfer an=demail us the money transfer details as requested to enable us release thesum of =80260EUR to your account immediately.

We patiently await your timely action in resolving this dispute.You must understand that we are taking this security measure to secure 100%protection for both you and the buyer. ------------------------------Thank you for using PayPalPayPal makes it easy to send/receive money for your auctions.

<br style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font style=3D"font-fa=mily:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2">Ourinvestigation reviewed that you and the buyer has agreed to completethe transaction before you requested for payment from the buyer withoutconcluding the shipment agreement as always advised by PayPal, thereforewe seek your maximum co-operation to resolve this dispute by choosingyour preferred way in resolving this dispute, two(2) options are givenbelow, you are expected to choose one and act fervently:</font><br style=3D="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font style=3D"font-fa=mily:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2">1) Continue the shipment and em=ail us a proof of shipment for confirmation to enable us credit the sum of<=span> </span></font><font style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" =size=3D"2"><span style=3D"color:rgb(255,0,0)">=80260EUR</span></font><font =style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2"><span style=3D"=color:rgb(255,0,0);font-weight:bold"><span> </span></span>into your account= immediately.</font><br style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">

<br style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font style=3D"font-fa=mily:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2">To enable us resolve this dispu=te timely, own to the account limited access presently on<span> </span><spa=n style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,255)"></span></font><font style=3D"font-family:a=rial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2"><span></span><span style=3D"color:rgb=(0,64,127)"><span style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,255)"></span></span></font><font= style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2"><span style=3D="color:rgb(51,51,255)">Brouder Declan</span></font><font style=3D"font-fami=ly:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2"><span style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,25=5)"></span>account which will not permit us refund the funds in question throughthe PayPal system we recommend you to select any one of the givenoptions above with your timely action to enable us resolve this disputeimmediately.</font><br style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font style=3D"font-fa=mily:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2">Atthis point, PayPal authority recommend you to act fervently and youmust understand that we are only taking this procedure to make PayPal asafer and comfortable place for all transactions.</font><br style=3D"font-f=amily:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font style=3D"font-fa=mily:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2">PayPalauthority sincerely advise you to act fervently to resolve this disputeon or before the next 48hours,=A0 failure to do so would resolve to theinvolvement of the United Kingdom Police for violating PayPal usersagreement in act of the 1999 PayPal Law in collaboration with the WorldLaw Enforcement Agency.</font><br style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans=-serif"><br style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font style=3D"font-fa=mily:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2">To help us resolve the dispute =between you and<span> </span><span style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,255)"></span></=font><font style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2"><spa=n></span><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,64,127)"><span style=3D"color:rgb(51,51=,255)"></span></span></font><font style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans=-serif" size=3D"2"><span style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,255)">Brouder Declan</spa=n></font><font style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2">=<span style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,255)"></span><span> </span>promptly, PayPal =authority sincerely recommend you to either ship the merchandise to the buy=er or you transfer the </font><font style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sa=ns-serif" size=3D"2"><span></span></font><font style=3D"font-family:arial,h=elvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2"><span style=3D"color:rgb(255,0,0)">=80260EU=R</span></font><font style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size==3D"2"><span style=3D"color:rgb(255,0,0)"></span></font><font style=3D"font=-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2"><span> </span>via<span>=A0</=span><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,255)">western union money transfer</span>=<span>=A0</span>and email us the money transfer details as requested to ena=ble us release the sum of<span> </span></font><font style=3D"font-family:ar=ial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2"><span></span></font><font style=3D"fon=t-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2"><span style=3D"color:rgb(25=5,0,0)">=80260EUR</span></font><font style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,s=ans-serif" size=3D"2"><span style=3D"color:rgb(255,0,0);font-weight:bold"><=span> </span></span><span style=3D"color:rgb(255,0,0)"><span style=3D"color=:rgb(0,0,0)">to your account immediately</span></span>.</font><br style=3D"=font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">

<br style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font style=3D"font-fa=mily:arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2">We patiently await your timely =action in resolving this dispute.<br>You must understand that we are taking= this security measure to secure 100% protection for both you and the buyer=.<span style=3D"color:rgb(0,64,127)"></span></font><br>

<font>Thank you for using PayPal</font></div><div style=3D"text-indent:0px;=letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:norma=l;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;text-transform:none;font-size:mediu=m;white-space:normal;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;word-spacing:0p=x">

<font>PayPal makes it easy to send/receive money for your auctions.</font><=/div><div style=3D"text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:norma=l;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;=text-transform:none;font-size:medium;white-space:normal;font-family:&#39;Ti=mes New Roman&#39;;word-spacing:0px">

Looks like you posted the header of the message you sent the lad; there are no Received headers, and the originating IP is in Vodafone, Ireland. Could you post the headers of the fake PayPal messages? PayPal does not hold payment waiting for a tracking number, so that message had to come from a scammer.

=0Aok i will proceed with the payment and i will let you know when am done = ------------------------------ On Sat, Sep 1, 2012 5:13 AM PDT wrote: > > >Sorry Declan I was looking at the logitech wheel weight= when I calculated the weight:) >Sorry am talking to someone else about sel=ling that so got confused. > >I will have to weigh the PS3 when it is boxed= up and give you the weight. >It will be less than =E2=82=AC19.00 shipping =anyway via registered post. > > . > > >> Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2012 04:42:51= -0700 >> From: [email protected] >> Subject: RE: >> To: >> >> >> Am okay with the price of the item.I will like t=he shipping to be handle by Post Office so i will add up the shipping cost,=also I will be doing the payment Paypal money transfer. do send me your Pay=Pal Email ID..Name....To proceed with the payment for the item.So i wait to= read from you soon.Thanks ------------------------------ On Sat, Sep 1, 20=12 4:30 AM PDT wrote: > >Can't go lower than =E2=82=AC200. > >= I had it on sale originally for =E2=82=AC225 but dropped it to =E2=82=AC20=0. >I won't go lower than that as they don't make the 60gb versions anymore= so they are a sort of collectors item and the only PS3 that is backwardly =compatible with PS2 games. > >Thanks, > > . > > > >> Date: Sat, 1 Sep 20=12 03:55:44 -0700 >> From: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: >> To: >> >> >> the ps3 let me have your best price ---=--------------------------- On Sat, Sep 1, 2012 3:00 AM PDT wrote: > >Hi I am replying >> regarding the dondeal advert you asked about?= > >Which item were you inquiring about? The G27 set or the PS3? > >The pri=ce on both is the lowest I will go. > >Thanks, > > . > > > >

Neither message's headers tell us where the scammer is, though obviously from the body of the message he is in Nigeria. The spoofed Paypal one was sent from a Gmail account, with a return address at secureroot (a real Paypal message would come from Paypal's server); the other one was sent from a BlackBerry, which hides its location. Of course Paypal would never ask anyone to send money by Western Union.

It should be. Your best course of action is simply not to worry, and instead of sending e-mails rejecting the "transaction", simply ignore him. He will go away; they all do once they can no longer smell money. If you are unfortunate enough to have future dealings with scammers in this way, once you're sure they're not legitimate buyers, simply stop communicating with them. It's not as if they could get you penalised by PayPal or eBay or anyone; they are after all criminals operating under false pretenses and most likely false details.

This is to remind you about the recent payment requested to be transferred to your account by the buyer of your item, we have already sent you a confirmation of the transfer immediately we received the full payment on your behalf and it is ready to be transferred to your account, but you have to make the shipment and send the shipping tracking number to us, so that we can verify the shipment with the shipping company and then we shall liberate the payment and deposit the full payment on your account immediately. This system is being used to protect both the buyer and seller from any type of fraudulent activities, that is why the PayPal is monitoring the transaction and is in compliant with the FBI Customer Protection System.

You are required to send the item to the buyer's address and send the shipping tracking number to us at:[email protected], and we shall release the payment to your account as soon as we confirm the shipment with the shipping company.

Thank you for using PayPal money transfer, feel free to contact us if you have any question/comment about this transaction.

***NOTE THAT ALL TRANSACTIONS ARE BEING MONITORED BY THE FBI TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY***.